Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Shumate was shot and killed while attempting to arrest an intoxicated man. During the arrest the suspect produced a revolver and shot Chief Shumate. Despite being mortally wounded, the chief was able to raise to his knees and shot the suspect four times, killing him.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-4AD55D90- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Chief of Police Shumate served with the LaFollette Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the LaFollette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James Shumate is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At LaFollette Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Shumate's cause is highlighted.
How James Shumate Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Shumate is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Shumate was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from LaFollette Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
